6i2 SPEECH. THE VOWELS. 



The pitch of the vowels may be determined musically, either by paying close 

 attention to one's own whispered vowels, or in the case of another by blowing 

 by means of a suitable air-tube from the opening of the mouth into its cavity 

 placed in the position peculiar to the vowel in question. It is a remarkable fact 

 that the fundamental tone of the "vowel-cavity" is almost constant for various 

 ages and sexes. The differences in the internal capacity of the mouth can be com- 

 pensated for by varying the size of the opening of the mouth. The pitch of the 

 vowel-cavity may also be estimated by holding a series of vibrating tuning-forks of 

 varying pitch in front of the mouth. When the one is found that corresponds 

 with the fundamental tone of the vowel-cavity, the note of the tuning-fork will 

 be strengthened considerably by resonance from the oral cavity. Finally, a mem- 

 brane having the same 'rate of vibration as the vowel-tone may be held in front 

 of the mouth, and the vibrations of the vowel-tone may be transferred to the 

 membrane, the vibrations of the latter being recorded on smoked paper, as in 

 the " phonautograph " of Bonders. 



Konig found the fundamental tones of the vowel-cavities to be as 

 follows: U (oo)=b, O = b', A (ah) == b", E (a) = b'", I (ee) = 

 b"". 



If the vowels be whispered in this series, their pitch will at once be 

 heard to increase. Otherwise, these fundamental tones of the mouth 

 in the vowel-positions may vary within certain limits ; hence it is better 

 to speak of the region of a characteristic tone-position. This may be 

 best demonstrated by placing the mouth in the characteristic position 

 and percussing the cheeks. The sound of the vowel will then be heard, 

 and its pitch will vary within certain limits in accordance with the 

 position of the mouth. 



In pronouncing A (ah), the mouth has the shape of a funnel dilating 

 anteriorly (Fig. 218, A). The tongue lies on the floor of the mouth; 

 the lips are wide open. The soft palate is raised moderately; being 

 successively more elevated with O, E (a), U (oo), I (ee). The hyoid bone 

 is in a position of rest when A (ah) is being uttered; but the larynx is 

 somewhat raised, being higher than with U (oo), but lower than with 

 I (ee). 



When a transition is made from A (ah) to I (ee), the larynx and the hyoid 

 bone retain their relative positions, but both ascend. During the transition from 

 A (ah) to U (oo), the larynx sinks to the lowest possible level. At the same 

 time the hyoid bone moves slightly forward. In pronouncing A (ah), the space 

 between the larynx, the posterior pharyngeal wall, the soft palate and the root 

 of the tongue is only moderately dilated; it becomes larger with E (a) and espe- 

 cially with I (ee) , and is smallest with U (oo) . 



In sounding U (oo),the shape of the mouth is that of a capacious 

 flask with a short, narrow neck. The entire reinforcing tube is under 

 such conditions longest. Accordingly, the lips are protruded as far as 

 possible, are corrugated, and are brought together so as to form a small 

 opening. The larynx is at its lowest level. The root of the tongue 

 is approximated to the posterior palatine arch. 



In sounding 0, the mouth, as with U (oo), resembles a wide-bellied 

 flask with a short neck. The latter, however, is shorter and at the same 

 time more widely open, the lips approaching more closely to the teeth. 

 The larynx is somewhat higher than with U (oo). The entire reinforcing 

 tube is, therefore, shorter than with U (oo). 



In sounding / (ee), the mouth has the shape of a flask with a small 

 belly in the posterior part, and a long, narrow neck. The belly has 

 the fundamental tone f , while the neck has that of d"". The reinforcing 

 tube is shortest with I (ee), as the larynx is raised as far as possible, and 



